Tisbury Appoints New Emergency Services Director

Tisbury selectmen appointed a new town emergency services director Tuesday, approving Eerik Meisner as a replacement for Chris Cini through the fiscal year, which ends June 30. Mr. Cini has moved off-Island.

Mr. Meisner is a lieutenant in the town police department. His recommendation to the post came from town fire chief John Schilling.

The board also approved a request to sponsor police officer Max Sherman in academy training. Mr. Sherman joined the Tisbury police force as a special officer in December.

In other business, selectmen approved additional funds for dredge work in Vineyard Haven harbor. The work has already been completed; harbor master Jay Wilbur said the additional cost and additional sand removal was because initial surveys of the area did not provide an exact measurement for how much sand would be taken from the harbor. The additional work removed 2,700 cubic yards of sand and cost $35,337, bringing the total project cost to $293,805. Funding came from town ferry embarkation fees.

Comments (1)

Lynne , Vineyard Haven

Tisbury taxpayers should continue to question the funding of this years dredge project, the lack of public decision making, and the lack of oversight at the dredge site. The total amount contributed by private homeowners towards the West Chop engineering was never closely examined and is questionable. A report studying their properties, is not the responsibility of the Town. Tisbury paid over $50,000 in engineering and there will be additional eelgrass mitigation costs. Some property ownwers in Tashmoo offered to pay to get sand on their permitted beaches, but were denied by the "Dredge Committee". Perhaps the "Committee" was afraid this would have reflected on West Chop property owners. Funding comes from a $500,000 loan made by the Town. The Town is finally establishing a dredging fund, but regardless, private homeowners should pay for their share of Town expense to pump sand and protect their beaches. A West Chop property owner was asked if they wanted this extra sand. For free? Who would say no.